Aug 12, 2011

2A Boys Preview

Cape Fear Independent Conference: Three very closely-matched teams return to compete for the title. The O'Neal School has a slight advantage in the rankings, but Fayetteville Christian and Cape Fear Academy are so close as to be almost even. All three of these schools have potential to make the top 10 at the state meet. Austin Puleo (O'Neal) is the leading returner, with teammate Evan Davies second. Kevin Clark leads Fayetteville Christian, while Worth Mercer fronts the Cape Fear Academy squad.

Eastern Plains Independent Conference: St. David's is the dominant team here, and in the rankings they have a chance for a perfect 15. They are also a slight favorite for the 2A state title, after finishing second last year. Rocky Mount Academy is the only other team with a complete returning team in our database, so they get the nod for second right now; however, if Cary Academy develops a fifth runner they will have a great chance to slide up into the runner-up position. Daniel Jezorianksi continues the tradition of strong running at Cary Christian as he leads all returners in the conference. Behind him, John Rohr is the first of a St. David's group that claims the next six fastest times. Tet Hughes leads Rocky Mount Academy.

Mixed Conferences: Asheville Christian is the favorite in the CAA, while Carolina Day is competitive as well; both are likely to be top 5 teams at the 2A state meet. Metrolina Christian has a good chance to win the MAC title, even with the bigger 3A schools in their conference, and they will be contenders for a top 5 spot at states as well. Grace Christian (Raleigh) is a heavy favorite in the CCC, and they are right there with Metrolina for a top 5 finish. Southlake Christian and Gaston Christian, both from the MAC, are likely top 10 teams by the end of the season. Trevor Sleight (Carolina Day) is the top returner in the 2A ranks and one of the best in the state, all classifications; teammate Cameron McMillan is also a top 5 runner. Josh Thornburg (Asheville Christian) leads a close group of runners competing for the runner-up position at the state meet. Watch out for Chris Anderson (Westchester), who had a really strong 3200 this spring.

2A Boys Stats

NCISAA 2A Boys Team Rankings

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NCISAA 2A Boys Individual Rankings

(You can sort by conference, school year)

1A/2A Girls Preview

Cape Fear Independent Conference: Village Christian leads this conference going into the season, and they have a legitimate chance at a state title as well. The O'Neal School and Fayetteville Academy are evenly matched for second place, and both have a chance to crack the top 10 at the state meet. Kristen and Jennifer Stephenson lead Village Christian and the conference, while Mulloy Manning (O'Neal) is at the front of a three-girl pack trying to break up Village Christian's pack.

Eastern Plains Independent Conference: St. David's is the front-runner, as they have the most depth of anyone in the conference; they are also slightly ahead of Village Christian as the preseason pick for the team title at states. Cary Christian, the returning champions, are not far behind (although they need to develop more depth). Kerr-Vance Academy is the third team in the conference, but they will still be competitive when the state meet rolls around. Aundrea Holmes (Cary Christian) is the top returning runner in the state and has a 40-second PR advantage over any other title contender. Maggie O'Hara is at the front of St. David's top 5, while teammate Angela Delfino had a strong 3200 time this past spring; Addison Mabry leads Kerr-Vance.

Coastal Plain Independent Conference: Although no team in this conference returns a complete top 5 according to the database, Faith Christian does have a solid core to build a new team around, led by Mary McCall Leland.

Southeastern Independent Conference: Moriah Morton of Flora MacDonald is the lone representative of this conference.

Carolina Christian Conference: Again no complete returning teams, although Grace Christian (Raleigh) returns a solid core from the 8th-place team at last year's state meet. Likewise for Trinity Academy of Raleigh; both of these teams have young runners up front and just need to find their fifth runners to be competitive. Jordan Black (Cresset Christian) is the fastest individual returner and an outside contender for the top 10 at the state meet. Jordan Sykes (9th grade) and Ella Rose (10th grade) front Trinity Academy, and Katrina Pild leads Grace Christian.

Southern Piedmont Athletic Association: Davidson Day is the class of this field, and they are looking to move up from last year's 9th place finish; if they can correct a weakness at the fifth runner they have a shot at the top 5. Hickory Christian and Gaston Day are both competitive--the former lacks a front-runner, and the latter needs more depth. Senior Caroline Sumner is the only runner older than sophomore year on the Davidson Day squad, giving them a bright three-year window for success; in terms of PR's they are led by soph Rachel Bringewatt. Rosemary Dunning fronts Gaston Day.

Triad Athletic Conference: Caldwell Academy is the returning leader here, fronted by top-10 runner Rebekah Page, and they have a chance to repeat their 5th-place performance from last fall in a competitive middle group of teams. Westchester Country Day has a complete team back but needs to develop to be more competitive. Micaela Naibryf (American Hebrew) has a chance to make the top 10 at the state meet after putting up a strong 3200 time in the spring.

Mixed Conferences: Asheville Christian is the favorite in the CAA, and they rate out as a strong candidate to finish in the top 5 at the McAlpine. Carolina Day is also competitive, with the ability to push for the CAA title and a top-10 finish at states. Gaston Christian can challenge 3A Covenant Day for the MAC title, and they are also likely in the top 5 by the end of the season. Southlake Christian is not far behind them, and they are ranked at the front of the middle group of teams vying for the 5-10 spots at the state meet. Anzhela Bozeman (Carolina Day) is the closest contender to Aundrea Holmes for the individual title, while Kathleen Archerd (Asheville Christian), Anna Landis (Southlake Christian), and Julianna Rose (Gaston Christian) lead their teams. Look for Brittany Crisp (Asheville Christian) to develop into a sub-20 threat after showing improvement in the 3200 during the spring.

1A/2A Girls Stats

NCISAA 1A/2A Girls Combined Team Rankings

(You can sort by county, conference)

NCISAA 1A/2A Girls Combined Individual Rankings

(You can sort by conference, school year)

NCISAA 2A Girls Team Rankings

(You can sort by county, conference)

NCISAA 2A Girls Individual Rankings

(You can sort by conference, school year)

NCISAA 1A Girls Individual Rankings

(You can sort by conference, school year)

NCISAA 1A/2A Girls Individual 3200 Rankings

(Times from spring 2011 only)

1A Boys Preview

Coastal Plain Independence Conference: The Epiphany School is the only team with a returning full squad, but that doesn't take away from their solid team; they are a potential top 3 team at the 1A state meet. Luke Roberson (Faith Christian) and Robert Glass (Wayne Country Day) will try to break up the Epiphany pack, which is led by McKinley Gray.

Southeastern Independent Conference: Again, only one team returns a full roster, and that is Flora MacDonald, a likely top 5 team at McAlpine when the end of October rolls around. Justin Jacobs leads the team, and he is a contender for an individual spot in the top 10 at states.

Mixed Conferences: Defending 1A champions Wayne Christian will push 2A Grace Christian (Raleigh) for the CCC title, and they have a good shot to repeat. They are led by Connor Jones, the top returner in the 1A classification and the favorite for this year' individual title. Hickory Christian will battle 2A Gaston Day for the SPAA championship, and they will go toe-to-toe with Wayne Christian for the big trophy at McAlpine. Benjamin Lowry leads Hickory Christian, while Peter Hetzel (Grace Christian Sanford) will have his sights set on Jones and David Warren (United Faith) is a potential top 5 runner at the 1A state meet.